“Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All” by Tom Kelley and David Kelley is a must-read book for anyone who wants to tap into their creative potential. The authors are brothers who are also the founders of the design and innovation company, IDEO. In this book, they share their insights and experiences about creativity, innovation, and design thinking.
The book is divided into three parts.
Part 1: is called “The Challenge,” where the authors argue that everyone is creative and that creativity is not just for artists, writers, or designers. They emphasize the importance of having creative confidence, which is the belief in one’s ability to create and innovate. The authors also provide examples of people who have overcome their fears and insecurities to become more creative.
Part 2: is called “The Mindset,” where the authors describe the creative mindset and the strategies for developing it. They argue that creativity is not a talent but a skill that can be learned and practiced. They also provide several exercises and techniques for developing creativity, such as reframing problems, observing, and empathizing with others.
Part 3: is called “The Process,” where the authors describe the design thinking process and how it can be used to solve complex problems. They provide examples of how design thinking has been used in different industries, such as healthcare, education, and social entrepreneurship. They also emphasize the importance of prototyping and testing ideas to learn from failure and improve.
One of the reasons why “Creative Confidence” is a helpful book is because it provides practical advice and examples of how to overcome creative blocks and develop a more creative mindset. For example, the authors share the story of a nurse who used design thinking to improve patient care in a hospital. She observed that patients were often scared and confused when they arrived, so she designed a welcome kit that included a map of the hospital, a list of services, and a small gift. This simple solution improved the patient experience and reduced anxiety.
Another reason why “Creative Confidence” is a helpful book is that it emphasizes the importance of collaboration and diversity in creativity. The authors argue that creativity thrives in diverse teams where people have different perspectives, skills, and backgrounds. They provide several examples of how IDEO has used this approach to design innovative products and services, such as the first computer mouse, the Palm V handheld computer, and the Swiffer mop.
Creative method Examples:
In conclusion, “Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All” is an inspiring and practical book that can help anyone become more creative and innovative. It provides valuable insights and examples of how to overcome creative blocks, develop a creative mindset, and use design thinking to solve complex problems. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to unleash their creative potential.